For the next two days, we’ll take a fascinating trip to one of the most important cities in the history of civilization: Alexandria. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 B.C., Alexandria was home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Lighthouse of Alexandria, and possibly the most famous library in the history of humanity: The Library of Alexandria, where even books written by Cleopatra were kept. Alexandria was the intellectual capital of the ancient world, and its Greco-Roman history is very different from the other cities in Egypt.

Our Egyptologist guide will pick us up from our hotel right after breakfast, and drive us to Alexandria (a 3-hour drive). Our first stop in this historic city will be the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, which is a Roman burial site that reveals the merging of Egyptian and Roman art and architecture. After that, we will continue to Pompey’s Pillar, an 82-foot (25-meter) granite column built to honor Emperor Diocletian. Continuing the Roman theme, the next site will be the Roman amphitheater, possibly the best preserved Roman site in Egypt. The site also includes the remains of a Roman street and homes. We should be done early in the evening, and be dropped off at our hotel for a free evening and night.

Accommodations: Paradise Inn Beach Resort – Maamoura or similar

Meals: Breakfast